How Can I Help My Students Get Into Medicine?

Perhaps your students ask, “Is medicine right for me?” They probably already have the ability to score well in exams and gain admission to a medical school. But before they make one of the most important decisions of their life, they need to have a realistic idea of what to expect. Here are some things you could point out that they need:

Aptitude

The entry criteria for medicine are designed to ensure students possess the right qualities. Your academic results measure academic abilities and proficiency in core subjects. The UCAT tests cognitive and emotional reasoning skills, as well as the ability to perform under extreme pressure. Interviews assess your ability to lead, work within a team and empathise with patients. These are all skills that doctors require.

Passion

Few people succeed in any career without passion. Yes, medicine is an incredibly interesting subject to study, but students also need a genuine interest. There’s no better way to develop students’ passion than to research the careers of medical practitioners and read about their journey. Our own Head of Education, Dr Ray Boyapati, shares some of his experiences and passion in our UCAT workshops.

Commitment

Students should be realistic about the commitment they’ll be making. Firstly, the process of getting into medicine in New Zealand is extremely competitive, and very few students are accepted on their initial attempt. Furthermore, medicine is a career that involves lifelong learning. In addition to 5-6 years of university studies, it can take up to ten years to independently practice some forms of medicine. Then the real commitment begins. Most people understand the rewards but it’s difficult to get a realistic idea of the challenges of medicine. Being responsible for people’s health requires commitment and sacrifice.

Understanding

Before they make a decision to study medicine, we highly recommend that your students reach out through friends and Whānau, or school alumni, to speak with a current medical student: they offer great perspective about the entry process and university life, and can be a mentor in the early stages of the application. It is also recommended that students speak to practicing physicians, read case studies, and carefully research the medical entry process.

Our Head of Education, Dr Ray Boyapati, provides virtual work experience through his Doctor Chats with Dr Ray series on Instagram TV.

There are two universities offering medicine in New Zealand: Auckland and Otago. Research both universities to decide where to pursue the first year of university study prior to applying in the second year for medicine. There are many factors to consider, including where your strengths lie, where you are most likely to gain admission, and personal factors.

Read more about whether to study at Auckland or Otago.

You can also apply to study medicine in Australia, in year 13. There are several advantages to doing so, including being able to enter medicine as a school leaver, and increasing your chances of admission by being able to apply to over 15 medical schools (instead of only two in New Zealand).

Read more about studying medicine in Australia.

Research Auckland and Otago’s selection criteria, any prerequisite subjects and grades needed. Your remaining subjects should be those that you enjoy and excel in, but also those which will help you to reach the entrance requirements. This will help you choose your subjects for your final year of high school. It will also encourage you to focus on your weaknesses if one of these subjects, such as Physics, is required by your preferred university.

Most students with their eye on a career in medicine understand the hard work, dedication and practice required to succeed in exams. They understand how to answer technical questions based on lessons and texts.

But the UCAT is nothing like the exams they’re accustomed to. That’s why many overconfident students who sit for the test unprepared not only fail the exam but also fail to finish it. The UCAT is designed by universities to find the students who possess specific mental abilities considered important in medicine. The unorthodox questioning and time pressure make it one of the most difficult obstacles on the path to a career in medicine. But with the right preparation, strategy and practice, students can ace the UCAT.

Many New Zealand students are unaware that they can sit the UCAT in year 13. However, sitting the UCAT in year 13 (and again in the first year of university) confers a significant advantage. You will gain an insight into the difficulty, style and conditions of the exam, and it will help with your confidence when you sit the exam the following year. Furthermore, if you excel in the UCAT, you will be eligible to apply for medicine in Australia, which broadens your chances of securing entry into medicine or dentistry.

Read more about sitting UCAT in year 13.

You can learn more about UCAT from the following resources:

• Frequently Asked Questions about UCAT page
• Comprehensive Guide to UCAT
• UCAT Handbook: This comprehensive 120 page guide covers everything you need to know about entry into medicine and dentistry
  

  The handbook is currently being updated to reflect changes to UCAT 2025

Once students have begun first year of uni, they can then apply to study medicine in their second year. When applying for medicine or dentistry, it is important to master your papers, particularly your core papers. Your GPA is an important factor for entry.

Note that those applying via an entry scheme (such as rural, or Maori/Pacific candidates) have a significantly increased chance of entry, due to lower entry requirements.

Read more about the process of applying to medicine at Auckland University.

Read more about the process of applying to medicine at Otago University.

Once you have sat the UCAT, and depending on how you performed, you will need to start preparing for interviews, if relevant. Auckland University medicine and Otago Dentistry require candidates to succeed in an interview.

Read about interviews.